US President Donald Trump steps off Air Force One to board the new Qatari-gifted Boeing plane, en route to the US, at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, in Milidenhall, England, July 8 [Win McNamee/Getty Images]
US President Donald Trump was secretly flown from Turkey to Britain on a smaller military aircraft last month after an alleged Iranian assassination threat, while the White House publicly maintained that he was travelling aboard Air Force One, according to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times on Tuesday.
The reported deception took place during Trump’s visit to Ankara for a NATO summit with other world leaders.
According to The Washington Post, Trump initially boarded the former Air Force One in full view of television cameras. Minutes later, however, he was reportedly moved to another aircraft using an airport catering truck typically used to transport meals and supplies to aircraft before departure.
A US official told the newspaper that a credible threat involving Iran prompted the operation.
